[Hollen]

Hello all,
Wasn't sure where to post this, but wanted to let those who helped us with Spiral know how he's doing. We've been treating our budgie Spiral for MRSA and antibiotic resistant actinobacter in a respiratory infection. Treatment will be ongoing for a while- he is receiving Baytril and TMS twice a day, Sporanox once a day, and we are down to two gentamicin nebs a day. I have carefully followed the advice we got to add probiotics, Apple cider vinegar, and to change perches and toys that could be seeded with bacteria. As of this morning, we have seen no beak breathing, spread wings, or loose stools in two weeks, and his tail bob is very small! Because of the serious, prolonged nature of his illness, I suspect it may be a while before that is completely gone, and our vet wants to continue fairly aggressive treatment until we are a week or two past all symptoms. She is AMAZED he is not only alive, but recovering. He has completey won over the entire vet staff with his sweetness and will to live and love. Today is my birthday, and Spiral gave me the best present- my ten year old son brought him into my bedroom this morning perched on his seed dish to say happy birthday. Spiral was belly flopping into the dish to hide his face from Alex. Alex was laughing so hard, and the Spiral would jump up on the side of the dish, make a big "kiss" smack, then belly flop back down so his tail was straight up in the air. He was getting the biggest kick out of hearing Alex laugh! Thank you all for your help and kindness.
Leslie

 

[Hollen]

Thank you everyone for the well wishes. Although we aren't out of the woods entirely, we are happily hopeful for a full and complete recovery. Those of you on this board who take the time to reply to all us newbie bird lovers are heroes and guardian angels as far as I'm concerned. You are inundated daily with panicked cries for help, and I have yet to see a post go unanswered. You answer with wisdom and compassion, and it is a blessing! I am thankful for our friend's continued healing, and very thankful to all of you who advised us, or even those who just read our post and said a little prayer.
I learned SO much from this experience- things I've read on your boards were suddenly in living color, and every one was true. I am going to make a little list of the things we learned, for any other new budgie owner who might be reading:
1. Look at, play with, and monitor your bird every day. If we hadn't known what Spiral was like when he was okay, we never would have known when things began to go wrong.
2. Get an avian vet on your team now, when your bird is healthy. I see so many posts across the Internet asking for home remedies, but our bird would be dead without our vet's immediate intervention. There is just no substitute.
3. At the FIRST SIGN of ANY unusual behavior, call that vet! Spiral's earliest symptoms were so incredibly subtle. The birds really will try to hide that they don't feel good! We risked sounding stupid and called the vet anyway, and by the time we made the hour drive he was in distress. Us newbie bird owners won't likely know all the symptoms a sick budgie may exhibit, so we must educate ourselves and use our resources.

This website is an incredible resource. You all saved Spiral's life before he was in distress by posting all of this information that I read as a learning lurker. Thank you all from our family- God bless you.:grouphug: